Flush caps



June 17, 1958 A, C S 2,839,068

FLUSH CAPS Filed Oct. 4, 1954 INVENTOR ROLAND A. CASS/A ATTORNEYS United States Patent O FLUSH CAPS Roland A. Cassia, White Plains, N. Y. Application October 4, 1954, Serial No. 460,187

9 Claims. (31. 134-102 This invention relates to flushing apparatus, and more particularly to a flush cap which is useful in connection with the flushing of such things as the radiator and the gasoline tank of an automobile.

It has heretofore been suggested that the radiator and the engine block of an automobile may be flushed by passing water under pressure through first the engine block and then the radiator. In carrying out this operation it has, in many cases, been the practice to disconnect one end of the hose which leads from the engine block to the radiator and to couple it to a source of water under pressure. In at least one such practice, air under pressure has been fed into the system along with the water under pressure. The prior art procedure just described has serious disadvantages inasmuch as the apparatus required is expensive. Moreover, several hose connections must be disconnected before both the radiator and engine block may be flushed. In addition, it has proven to be diflicult to obtain a connection between the water supply and the hose of the car which will stand the necessary pressure. Moreover, it is necessary to stop the engine before the flushing process can begin. The pr sent invention overcomes all of the difficulties mentioned in this paragraph.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple cap that may replace the ordinary radiator cap, or the ordinary gasoline tank cap, and which will enable one to feed water or air or both, under pressure, into the radiator (or gasoline tank).

Another object is to provide a cap for automobile radiators that enables inexperienced persons to properly flush the radiator and the engine block without disturbing any of the hose connections of the car.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cap that is useful in flushing either the automobile radiator (and/or engine block) or the gasoline tank.

The invention has as an additional object the provision of a cap or low cost that will enable one to flush the radiator and engine block of an automobile.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fiush cap for automobiles that enables the engine block and radiator to be flushed while the engine is running, whereby the water pump of the car will increase the pressure and velocity of the water that is performing the flushing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flush cap for automobiles which will enable the radiator and engine block to be flushed in a shorter time than has heretofore been possible.

The invention has as still another object, the provision of a flush cap that can be used without constant attention of the operator, whereby a number of cars may be flushed simultaneously.

The invention has a further object in the provision of a fiush cap that is also useful in cooling a rebuilt motor as will be hereinafter described.

Yet another object of the invention 1s to provide a cap.

ice

flush cap for cars that is simpler and more efiicient than other flushing devices.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a flush cap for automobiles that may be readily converted from a flush cap into a radiator cap with a conventional regulating valve, whereby the flush cap may either be used in the normal operation of the vehicle or as a flush till another object of the invention is to provide a radiator cap for automobiles which may be readily converted from one having a pressure regulating valve to one adapted for use as a flush cap.

My novel flush cap includes a cap portion designed to fit onto the radiator or gas tank inlet, and to this extent is similar to an ordinary radiator cap. My cap includes a suitable gasket for efiecting a water-tight as well as an air-tight fit when the cap is in place. As in the case of ordinary radiator caps the cap is securely locked in place when in operation. The top wall of my flush cap has a threaded inlet adapted to receive a water hose, and also has an air inlet pipe. A feature of the present application is that the air-inlet pipe is tapped directly into the water inlet pipe. The air-inlet pipe has an air intake similar to that used on conventional automobile tires, whereby the standard air hose available at any filling station may be used to furnish the necessary air pressure. The air-inlet pipe has avalve with a control pin or stem just the same as the valve in the airinlet pipe of conventional automobile tires.

In a modified form of the invention, a pressure relief valve is arranged to be inserted in the water inlet of the flush cap to thus block flow of water through the The cap will then function as a standard radiator cap of the type having a pressure relief valve. This cap may be used in normal operation of the vehicle, and from month to month, or from year to year as the case may be, in order to flush the radiator the pressure relief valve is removed whereupon the cap then is arranged to function as a flush cap. After the flushing operation has been concluded, the pressure relief valve may be reinserted to convert the flush cap into one useful as a standard radiator cap.

Further details of the invention will become apparent as this description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of the flush cap constituting my invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the flush cap.

Figure 3 is a side view of the flush cap with a portion of the air inlet tube shown in section.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the modified form of the invention showing its relation to the parts of an automobile radiator water inlet.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the modified form of the invention illustrating the pressure relief valve secured to the inside of the flush cap.

Referring to the drawings, the invention comprises a cap 16 having extensions 11 for rotating the cap 10 with the fingers and thumb of one hand. The cap 10 has a vertical side wall or flange 12, the latter having two tabs 13 which are adapted to move underneath complementary tabs on the outer Wall of the radiator (or gasoline tank) inlet pipe. Located on the lower side of the horizontal wall of cap 19 is a gasket or rubber washer 14. This Washer is pressed onto the top end of the radiator inlet pipe when the cap 19 is rotated into final operating position. The cap 10, the side walls 21, and tabs 13 are all integral.

in this paragraph is that of a conventional radiator cap.

Up to this point, the description given position.

My invention resides in the combination of these conventional cap features with certain other features, it being the whole combination that I claim as new; Extendingvertically upward from the .cap '16 is a hose connection device 15 having internal threads and adapted valve: 18. The air inlet pipe 17,:and the valve 18 are.

the same as the air inletpipe "and valve of a conventional automobile tire whereby the same air inlet hose which is used to furnish air under pressure to the automobiletire may supply air to my flush cap. The valve follows conventional construction exactly, and therefore air under pressure may be fed from an air hoseinto thepipe 17 but neither air nor water under pressure can flow in an outward direction. 1

One who desires to use my new flush cap in order to flush a radiator and/or engine block, proceeds as 'follow'sz'The cap is placed in operative position on the water inlet opening at the top of the radiator. A conventional gardenhose is connected to the upper portion 30 of the water inlet'15 to supply water under pressure.

Thedrain .cock of the radiator and/or engine block is opened. With the automobile engine running the water pressure is applied. QAir under pressure is fed into airinlet pipe 17 lay-applying the conventional 'airflhose (as used .at all service stations for inflating tires). The air hose means for depressing the pin of valve 18 to allow air under pressure to enter. The air pressure may be adjusted to any desired value. The pressure produced by the engine water pump of course adds to the water pressure, however, it is not absolutely necessary to run the engine. The combinationof the air pressure 7 and water pressure is very effective in dislodging rust,

etc and in flushing, the radiator and engine block. The air pressure need not be continuously applied. It is usually sufficient to apply air pressure fora few seconds and then continue the flushing withwater pressure alone. If the car has separate drain cocks for the engine block and the radiator, the car may be first flushed with only one of these open,.and then "again flusted with only the other one open.

Another use for my invention is During this operation the engine may overheat if vthe normal circulationof the jacket is the only thingrelied upon. With my cap it is possible to continuously pass cool waterthroughthe engine block while the engine is running, by opening the drain cock and, feeding water under pressureinto the cap continuously.

The invention may also be used to flush the'gasoline tank of the car as follows.. The gasoline is disconnected from the tank, and my flush cap is used in place of the usualcap on the gas tank. Then water under pressure is fed into inlet 15 untilthe gas tank is cleaned. At this point the water pressure is stopped'and thewater is allowedtd drain from the tank.- In order to dry the tank the compressed air hose is applied to air intake 17,

andair is passed through the tank until it is dry.

In normal use of the device of Figure 1 as a flush cap, the water'hose is first threaded to the upper portion 38 threads of the hose connection. placed on top of the radiator inlet and rotated intov final In view of the fact that the axis of the water conduit 15 is substantially colinear with the axis of the radiator inlet, the hose will not be substantially twisted:

- during this operation.

7 in connection with the breaking-1n of a new engine and/ or a rebuilt engine.

Figures. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified form of the invention in which a pressure relief valve may be detachably secured to the inside of the flush cap. In this form of the invention the cap has threads 19 adapted to receive the solid head 20 'ofuthe pressure relief valve 21. The head 20' carries threads complementary to the threads 19. The pressure relief valve is of standard construction, and no novelty is claimed for it per se. It may be the same as any standard pressure relief valve now used on the underside of automobile radiator caps. One such pressure relief valve is illustrated in detail in Figure 5 where the helical spring 22 presses plunger 28 against the inside of the valve member 21, and thus blocks flow of water through the ports of the base of the valve body 21. When the pressure within the radiator exceeds a given value, the valve plunger 28 is forced upwardly and the excess pressure is exhausted through port 23. As shown in Figure .5, thepressure relief valve 21 bears against the cylindrical radiator inlet pipe 26 of standard construction. When the pressure inside of the pipe 26 exceeds the predetermined value, the

pressure relief valve 21 allows the excess pressure to a flow through port 23 to the vent 27. a

'Another form of pressure'relief valve that may be employed in lieu of parts 21 to 23 inclusive and 28 is shown in U. S. Patent 2,684,780 to Dawson Friend,

granted. July 27, 1954, entitled Valving Assembly for.

Closure Caps. Any other form of pressure regulating valve may be used without. departing from the scopefof the invention. a

The flush cap of Figures '5 and 6 may be used in normal. operation :of the vehicle when the pressurerelief valve 21' is suitably attached to the flush capo Then one ornlore times a year, when it is desired to flush the automobile radiator, the pressure relief valve 21 may be rfimoved from the under side of the flush cap and the cap replaced on the radiator. The vent 27 may then be closed if desired and air and water inserted in the radi- V} 271,158 filed February 12 1952, entitled Flush Cap and i now abandoned. i

. I claim tohaveinvented: u

1 A flush cap for flushing an automobile. radiator and engine block with water and air without disconnecting.

any hose connections and which directs a flow .of water underpressure throughthe engine blockin .thesanie direction as the flow created by the water pump of the automobile when said pump is running comprising, in combination, a main cap portion adapted to be placed on the water inlet of an automobile radiator andlocked' ducting conduit having an airinlet opening therethrough, I

an air inlet pipe attached to the water conducting conduit andextending awayfrom the same for feeding air under pressure into the water conducting conduit and thence into said radiator, means carried by the cap adjacent the downstream sidev of said plate for effecting a water tight air tight fit between the radiator and the cap when the latter is placed on the radiator, the water conducting conduit having internal shoulder above the level of the air inlet opening and having internal threads above the shoulder for receiving a water hose, and a valve located in said pipe, said valve including all of the following parts: a stem in the pipe and extending parallel to the axis thereof, the outer end of the stern terminating adjacent the upper end of the air inlet pipe, and means for opening the passageway through the air inlet pipe when the stem is depressed and for blocking the passageway through the pipe when the stem is not depressed comprising spring means for biasing the stern outwardly along the axis of the pipe, a plunger connected to the stem, and a valve seat limiting outward motion of the plunger.

2. A flush cap comprising a plate having a downwardly extending flange, said flange having two tabs extending inwardly in a plane parallel to that of the plate, a water pipe extending through and above the plate and having internal threads for receiving a water hose, an air inlet pipe extending through said pipe above said plate with the outer end of the air inlet pipe extending progressively away from the first-named pipe, a valve in the outer end of the air inlet pipe, said valve comprising a stem extending along the axis of the pipe and including means for allowing air to flow through the air inlet pipe when the stem is depressed and for blocking flow in the air inlet pipe when the stem is in normal position, and a gasket covering that wall of said plate which is inside said cap, there being sufficient internal threads in the water pipe above the air inlet pipe so that a water hose may be placed in the water pipe without blocking the air inlet.

3. A flush cap comprising a main cap portion composed of a plate with a downwardly extending cylin drical flange, said flange including inwardly extending tabs, a gasket mounted on the underside of the plate to effect a water-tight and an air-tight fit when the cap is in operating position, a cylindrical water conducting conduit having an axis colinear with the axis of said cylindrical flange, said conduit extending upwardly from the side of the plate opposite that which carries the flange and having threads thereon enabling the same to be con nected to a water hose, and an air inlet tube extending through said cylindrical water conducting conduit and having a valve in the tube, said valve having a stern in the tube and means controlled by the stern for allowing air under pressure to be fed inwardly when the stem is depressed and to restrict air flow outwardly when the stem is not depressed, said conduit having larger crosssection than the air inlet tube and having an internal shoulder located above the air inlet tube, said conduit having internal threads above the shoulder for receiving a water hose.

4. A flush cap for flushing an automobile radiator and engine block with water and air without disconnecting any hose connections and which directs a flow of water under pressure through the engine block in the same direction as the flow created by the water pump of the automobile when said pump is running, comprising in combination a main cap portion adapted to be placed on the water inlet of an automobile radiator and locked thereto, said cap having a plate for covering the opening at the top of the inlet, said plate having a downwardly extending flange around its outer edge, said flange having inturned tabs parallel to the plate for locking the cap onto the radiator when it is placed thereon and then rotated, said plate having a water inlet opening therein for allowing water to enter the radiator, a water conducting conduit attached to the plate and extending above the plate from said opening for feeding water under pressure through the plate and into the radiator, said conduit having an air inlet opening therethrough adjacent the downstream end thereof, extending from the air inlet opening for feeding air under pressure through said conduit and into said radiator, said conduit having an internal shoulder above the air inlet opening and internal threads above the shoulder, means carried by the cap adjacent the downstream side of said plate for effecting a water-tight and air-tight fit between the radiator and the cap when the latter is placed on the radiator, and a valve located in said pipe, said valve including all of the following parts: a stem in the pipe and extending parallel to the axis thereof, the outer end of the stem terminating adjacent the upper end of the air inlet pipe, and means for opening the air inlet pipe when the stem is depressed and for blocking the pipe when the stem is not depressed, comprising spring means for biasing the stem outwardly along the axis of the pipe, a plunger connected to the stem, and a valve seat limiting outward motion of the plunger.

5. A flush cap for flushing an automobile radiator and engine block with water and air without disconnecting any hose connections and which directs a flow of water under pressure through the engine block in the same direction as the flow created by the water pump of the automobile when said pump is running comprising, in combination, a main cap portion adaped to be placed on the water inlet of an automobile radiator and locked thereto, said cap having a plate for covering the top of said inlet, said plate having a downwardly extending flange around its outer edge, said flange having inturned tabs for locking the cap onto the radiator when it is placed thereon and then rotated, a water conducting conduit extending through the plate to which a hose may be connected for feeding water under pressure through the cap into the radiator, an air inlet pipe for feeding air through the water conducting conduit, said conduit having an internal shoulder above the level of the downstream end of the air inlet pipe and internal threads above the level of the shoulder, means carried by said cap adjacent the downstream side of said plate for effecting a water-tight and air-tight fit between the radiator and the cap when the latter is placed on the radiator, and a valve located in said pipe, said valve including all of the following parts: a stem in the pipe and extending parallel to the axis thereof, the outer end of the stem terminating adjacent the upper end of the air inlet pipe, and means for opening the air inlet pipe when the stem is depressed and for blocking the pipe when the stem is not depressed comprising spring means for biasing the stem outwardly along the axis of the pipe, 2. plunger connected to the stern, and a valve seat limiting outward motion of the plunger.

6. A flush cap for flushing an automobile radiator and engine block with water and air without disconnecting any hose connections and which directs a flow of water under pressure through the engine block in the same direction as the flow created by the water pump of the automobile when said pump is running comprising, in combination, a main cap portion adapted to be placed on the water inlet of an automobile radiator and locked thereto, said cap having a plate for covering the top of said inlet, said plate having a downwardly extending flange around its outer edge, said flange having inturned tabs for locking the cap onto the radiator when it is placed thereon and then rotated, a water conducting conduit extending through the plate to which a hose may be connected for feeding water under pressure through the cap into the radiator, an air inlet pipe for feeding air through the cap into the radiator, said conduit having internal threads whereby a hose connection may be threaded thereto, the downstream end of the air inlet pipe being spaced from said internal threads, means carried by said cap adjacent the downstream side of said plate for effecting a water-tight and air-tight fit between the radiator and the cap when the latter is placed on the radiator, and a valve located in said pipe, saidvalve including all of the following parts: a stem in the pipe and extending parallel to the axis thereof, the outer end of the stem terminating adjacent the upper end of the air inlet pipe, and means for opening the air inlet pipe when the stem is depressed and for blocking the pipe when the stem is-not' depressed Comprising spring means for biasing the stem outwardly along the axis 'of the pipe, at plunger connected to the stem, and a valve seat limiting outward motion of the plunger.

7. A flush-cap for flushing an automobile radiator and engine block with water and air without disconnectin'g any hose connections and which directs a flow of water under pressure through the engineblock in the same direction as the flow created by the water pump ofthe automobile when said pump is running comprising, in combination, a main cap portion adapted to be placed on the water inlet of an automobile radiator andlocked thereto, said cap having a plate for covering the top of said inlet, said plate having a downwardly extending flange around its outer edge, said flange having inturned tabs for locking the cap onto the radiator when it is placed thereon and then rotated, a water conducting' conduit extending through the plate to which a hose may be' connected for feeding water'under pressure through the cap into the radiator, an air inlet pipe for feeding air through the cap into the radiator, said conduit having internal threads whereby a hose connection may be threaded thereto, the downstream. end of the air inlet pipe being spaced from said internal threads, means carried by said cap adjacent the downstream side of said plate for effecting a water-tight and air-tight fit between the radiator and the cap when the latter is placed on the radiator, and a valve located in said pipe.

8. A flush cap for flushing an automobile radiator and engine block with water and air without disconnecting any hose connections and which directs allow of water under pressure through the engine'block in the same direction as the flow created by the water pump of the automobile when said pump is running comprising, in combination, a main cap portion adapted to be placed on the water inlet of an automobile radiator and locked thereto, said cap having a plate for covering the top of said inlet, said cap including means whereby it may be detachably secured to an automobile radiator inlet, a

which a hose may be connected for feeding water under pressure through the cap into the radiator, said conduit having internal threads whereby a hose connection may stream side of said plate for efiecting a water-tight and air-tight fit between the radiator and the cap when the water conducting conduit extending through the plate to V latter is placed on the radiator, and a valve located in said pipe, said valve including all of the following parts: a stem in the pipe and extending parallel to the axis thereof, the outer end of thestern terminating adjacent the upper end of the air inlet pipe, and means for opening the air inlet pipe when the stem is depressed and for blocking the pipe when the stem is not depressedcomprising spring means for biasing the stem outwardly along the axis of the pipe, a plunger connected to the stern, and a valve seat limiting outward motion of the plunger.

A flush cap for flushing an automobile radiator and engine block with water and air without disconnecting any hose connections and which directs a flow of water under pressure through the engine block in the same direction as the flow createdby the water pump of the automobile when said pump is running, comprising, in combination, a main cap portion adapted to be placed on the water inlet of the automobile radiator and locked thereto, said cap having a plate for covering the opening at the top of the water inlet, said plate having a downwardly extending flange around its outer edge, said flange having inturned ta'os parallel to the plate for locking the cap onto the radiator when it is placed thereon and then rotated, said plate having a water inlet opening therein for allowing water to enter the radiator, a water conducting conduit attached to the plate and extending above the plate from said opening for feeding water under pressure through the plate and into the radiator, said water conducting conduit having an air inlet opening therethrough, an air in let pipe attached to the water conducting conduit at'the air inlet opening thereof and extending away from the same for feeding air under pressure into the water conducting conduit and thence into said radiator, means carried by the cap adjacent the downstream side of said plate for eifecting a wateretight andtair-tight fit between the radiator and the cap when the latter is placed on the radiator, the water conducting conduit having internal shoulder above the level of the air inlet opening and having internal threads above the shoulder for receiving a water hose, and a valve located in said pipe.

References Citedin the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,887,985 Auker Nov. 13, 1932 1,939,836 Tolfree Dec.,l9, 1933 2,006,752 Swank July 2, 1935 2,218,880 Hanson Oct 22, 19.40 2,366,969 Kiggins Ian. 9', 1945 2,387,324 Glickman Oct. 23, 1945 

